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Types of Hearing Loss
Our hearing system has many working parts. Different kinds of hearing loss can arise depending on the part of the hearing system affected. There are four different kinds of hearing loss:
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
In How Hearing Works, the cochlea was described as the organ of hearing. The cochlea is found in the inner ear, and contains thousands of tiny sensor cells called outer hair cells. These outer hair cells pick up sound and then send the information to the brain using the auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the cochlea and/or the auditory nerve is damaged or malfunctioning. Most of the time, a sensorineural hearing loss is permanent.
Some people are born with a sensorineural hearing loss and some people develop it later in life. Loud and extended periods of noise can cause a sensorineural hearing loss. For example, if someone works in a noisy place without ear protection, they are at a high risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss. Some people may also acquire sensorineural hearing loss through the natural aging process. In addition, certain chemicals and medications can cause sensorineural hearing loss.
Hearing aids (and sometimes cochlear implants) are often an excellent treatment plan for sensorineural hearing losses.
Conductive Hearing Loss
In How Hearing Works, the ear canal, ear drum, and the three tiny bones in the middle ear were described. All three of these structures play an important role in the conduction of sound through the ear. Sometimes, these parts malfunction, causing a conductive hearing loss. Excessive ear wax, an ear infection, a hole in the ear drum, or problems with the middle ear bones can result in a conductive loss. Conductive losses are not as common as sensorineural hearing losses. Conductive losses can either be permanent or temporary.
Sometimes, surgery is needed to treat a conductive loss, but hearing aids and other hearing devices may be used too.
Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss occurs when both sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss exist at the same time.
Similar to a conductive hearing loss, surgery may be recommended to treat a mixed hearing loss, but hearing aids and other hearing devices may be used too.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Lastly, an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain has issues processing sound into meaningful information. Often, speech understanding or sound localization is affected with an auditory processing disorder. People with APD often report having difficulty hearing conversations in noisy places as well as locating certain sounds.
Some therapies, training programs, and strategies exist to help people with Auditory Processing Disorder.
